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PICA Chairman Dave Russell to Deliver Keynote at AMPP Canada Conference 2025 in Saskatoon
Join us at the AMPP Canada Conference 2025, where Dave Russell, founder and chairman of PICA Corp, will deliver a high-impact keynote presentation: “Large Watermain Failures in Canada in 2024”
About the AMPP Canada Conference 2025
Organized by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the conference embraces the theme “Prairie Potential – AMPP It Up!”, focusing on unlocking new opportunities and advancing careers in the materials protection and performance industry. Attendees will have the chance to enhance their expertise, connect with industry professionals, and explore insights that will shape the future of the field.
Keynote Preview: “Large Watermain Failures in Canada in 2024″ by Dave Russell, Chairman of PICA Corp
This keynote will examine two of Canada’s most significant infrastructure failures in 2024—catastrophic ruptures of large-diameter PCCP watermains in Calgary and Montreal—highlighting the contributing factors, consequences, and what pipeline owners must do to avoid similar disasters.
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What You’ll Learn:
- A detailed breakdown of the Calgary and Montreal PCCP failures—including inspection history, causes, and lessons learned
- How PCCP (Pre-stressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe) is designed, where it’s vulnerable, and the mechanisms behind wire breakage and loss of preload
- A comparison of NDT inspection technologies, including Remote Field Testing (RFT), Near Field, PipeDiver®, Echo-sounding, and more
- Groundbreaking insights from recent R&D led by PICA and Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) on identifying preload loss and wire break origins
- Why hydrogen embrittlement continues to pose hidden risks and how advanced NDT tools can now distinguish it from corrosion damage
Why This Keynote Matters:
The failures in Calgary and Montreal affected hundreds of thousands of residents, caused multi-million-dollar repairs, and shook confidence in aging PCCP infrastructure. Dave’s presentation brings engineering, science, and inspection expertise together to show how proactive, data-driven inspection programs can prevent catastrophic loss, optimize rehab efforts, and reduce overall risk.
This session is a must-attend for:
- Utility asset managers
- Water infrastructure engineers
- Corrosion professionals
- Risk and reliability consultants
- NDT service providers
📌 Don’t miss this essential keynote that bridges real-world failures with proven solutions to protect North America’s aging water infrastructure.
Conference Highlights
- Technical Sessions: Engage with experts discussing cutting-edge solutions for corrosion prevention and materials performance.
- Workshops: Participate in hands-on sessions designed to enhance practical skills and knowledge.
- Exhibition: Explore the latest technologies and services from leading industry vendors.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals across various sectors, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and municipal services.
For more details and registration information, visit the official AMPP Canada Conference page.
We invite all industry professionals to join us in Saskatoon to gain valuable insights from Dave Russell’s keynote and to engage with the broader materials protection community. This event promises to be a pivotal gathering for advancing knowledge and fostering collaborations in the field